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Shivalry · 23 December 2015, 12:42 PM

Hey all!

I was walking in the city today and stumbled across a consignment shop I'd never seen before. Probably walked by this place 100 times and never even noticed it before today. I was looking through their stuff and tucked away in a corner was this watch that I can't get out of my head now. It was a Benrus Sky Chief. Looked like it was well-worn, but in working condition. I did a few google searches and seems like this was a popular airline pilot watch in the 1960s. I think it looks beautiful. A nice piece of American history.

They were asking $1350 for it, but I have zero frame of reference as to whether or not that is a reasonable price. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge with this particular watch?

I (foolishly) didn't take a picture of it but have included a pic I found online. Hopefully you guys share my opinion of it. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

Shiv

p_mcgee · 24 December 2015, 01:28 AM

I just did a quick Google search & that price looks like it's in the same range as the others listed on the internet forums.

Idonthavearolex · 24 December 2015, 03:26 AM

Great watches.
They have either a venus 178 or a valjoux 72 movement, depending on age. Valjoux equipped ones are a little more desirable and tend to fetch slightly higher prices.

The movements are easily serviceable but with these (as with most vintage pieces), condition is everything - primarily dial and hands which are hens teeth to find should you need a replacement. Lots of them have gone tropical too, which really suits it.
Assuming that the one you have found is all original, that is a decent price. Grab a picture!

Shivalry · 25 December 2015, 02:34 PM

Thanks for the help! Will head back there this weekend and grab a pic

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Shivalry · 2 January 2016, 02:28 AM

Headed back and took a picture of it and got a bit more history.

Not the best picture in the world because the lighting was off, but it's in great condition. Dial and hands look perfect and all the numbers are without any big wear. Even the crystal is in really good shape.

It's apparently for sale by the original owner who was a WWII pilot. Pretty amazing stuff

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Hpozzuoli · 2 January 2016, 02:36 AM

The guy who bought Benrus recently is the same guy who got fired from Alex and Ani. He then tried to sue Alex and Ani and caused himself to be considered a fool. I personally would not be interested in anything he has to do with.

Shivalry · 2 January 2016, 05:25 AM

Interesting fact and something to consider. I think the history behind this watch more than makes up for it though

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lapince · 2 January 2016, 04:38 PM

Good for you I just find it a little sad the original owner has to sell it, at the same time I did sell my beloved 5712...

Shivalry · 3 January 2016, 01:46 AM

I hear ya on that. The store owner said that the guy doesn't have much family and could use the money. No way to confirm if it's true or not, but at the same time doesn't seem like something she'd make up.

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23 December 2015, 12:42 PM	#1
Shivalry "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Boston Watch: Sea Dweller 4k Posts: 19	Benrus Sky Chief Hey all! I was walking in the city today and stumbled across a consignment shop I'd never seen before. Probably walked by this place 100 times and never even noticed it before today. I was looking through their stuff and tucked away in a corner was this watch that I can't get out of my head now. It was a Benrus Sky Chief. Looked like it was well-worn, but in working condition. I did a few google searches and seems like this was a popular airline pilot watch in the 1960s. I think it looks beautiful. A nice piece of American history. They were asking $1350 for it, but I have zero frame of reference as to whether or not that is a reasonable price. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge with this particular watch? I (foolishly) didn't take a picture of it but have included a pic I found online. Hopefully you guys share my opinion of it. Any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks! Shiv

24 December 2015, 01:28 AM	#2
p_mcgee "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,149	I just did a quick Google search & that price looks like it's in the same range as the others listed on the internet forums.

24 December 2015, 03:26 AM	#3
Idonthavearolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NYC Posts: 27	Great watches. They have either a venus 178 or a valjoux 72 movement, depending on age. Valjoux equipped ones are a little more desirable and tend to fetch slightly higher prices. The movements are easily serviceable but with these (as with most vintage pieces), condition is everything - primarily dial and hands which are hens teeth to find should you need a replacement. Lots of them have gone tropical too, which really suits it. Assuming that the one you have found is all original, that is a decent price. Grab a picture!

25 December 2015, 02:34 PM	#4
Shivalry "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Boston Watch: Sea Dweller 4k Posts: 19	Thanks for the help! Will head back there this weekend and grab a pic Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2 January 2016, 02:28 AM	#5
Shivalry "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Boston Watch: Sea Dweller 4k Posts: 19	Headed back and took a picture of it and got a bit more history. Not the best picture in the world because the lighting was off, but it's in great condition. Dial and hands look perfect and all the numbers are without any big wear. Even the crystal is in really good shape. It's apparently for sale by the original owner who was a WWII pilot. Pretty amazing stuff Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2 January 2016, 02:36 AM	#6
Hpozzuoli Banned Join Date: Dec 2015 Real Name: Henry Location: Rhode Island Watch: Rolex Posts: 990	The guy who bought Benrus recently is the same guy who got fired from Alex and Ani. He then tried to sue Alex and Ani and caused himself to be considered a fool. I personally would not be interested in anything he has to do with.

2 January 2016, 05:25 AM	#7
Shivalry "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Boston Watch: Sea Dweller 4k Posts: 19	Interesting fact and something to consider. I think the history behind this watch more than makes up for it though Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2 January 2016, 04:38 PM	#8
lapince "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Mars Watch: 5712 Posts: 11,509	Good for you I just find it a little sad the original owner has to sell it, at the same time I did sell my beloved 5712...

3 January 2016, 01:46 AM	#9
Shivalry "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Boston Watch: Sea Dweller 4k Posts: 19	I hear ya on that. The store owner said that the guy doesn't have much family and could use the money. No way to confirm if it's true or not, but at the same time doesn't seem like something she'd make up. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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